Bertram Francis Crawford was born in 1910 in New York. He resided in Somerset County, New Jersey prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on June 12, 1942 at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York. He was noted as being employed as a dyer and also as Single, without dependents. Bertram served as a Technical Sergeant and Engineer on B-17 (#42-30317) "Second Chance", 562nd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

Bertram was "Killed In Action" on a mission to Bremen, Germany. Their aircraft went down at 1228 hours at approximately 53deg 10min N - 07deg 00min E. It was struck from the rear by another B-17 which completely severed the tail assembly. The aircraft turned over twice and then went into a spin and was seen to hit the ground. No parachutes were observed. Bertram is now buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA in a common grave with his crew. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, 388bg.com